K.I.S.S. Bad Stories Goodbye

One of the most useful maxims in life is known by the acronym K.I.S.S. I'm sure you've heard of it. It stands for “Keep It Simple Stupid”. But simplicity is not just the key to a happy life; it's also the key to great storytelling—which only makes sense because stories are about life. Well-written animated features, no matter how complex they may seem upon first viewing, have basic character and plot elements that are very simple. To create a simple, well-constructed story you need only answer the following questions...

One of the most useful maxims in life is known by the acronym K.I.S.S. I'm sure you've heard of it. It stands for “Keep It Simple Stupid”.

But simplicity is not just the key to a happy life; it's also the key to great storytelling—which only makes sense because stories are about life.

Well-written animated features, no matter how complex they may seem upon first viewing, have basic character and plot elements that are very simple. To create a simple, well-constructed story you need only answer the following questions:

What does the hero want?

What is stopping him from getting it?

What does he THINK he needs to attain what he wants? (This is often a physical object or power known in writing parlance as the MacGuffin)

What does he REALLY need in order to attain his dream? (This is a character change, not the MacGuffin)

What does the villain want?

What does he THINK he needs to attain this? (This is often the same MacGuffin.)

What is the theme that ties all this together?

These questions, though simple, may feel a bit complicated when looked at for the first time. But let me give you an example to show you how beautifully simple they can be answered.

Kung Fu Panda, written by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger, is perhaps the most elegantly simple animated feature ever written. Let's go through it and see how the writers answered these questions.

What does the hero want?

In the very first scene of the movie, Po, the panda hero, literally dreams of being a kung fu master.

What is stopping him from getting it?

He's a fat klutz.

What does he THINK he needs to attain what he wants?

Once Po is chosen to be the next Dragon Warrior, he believes he needs the “secret” power of the dragon scroll to become a kung fu master. The scroll is the MacGuffin.

What does he REALLY need in order to attain his dream?

He just needs to find the confidence within himself to utilize his innate abilities.

What does the villain want?

Tai Lung wants revenge on Shifu, the kung fu master who refused him the dragon scroll, and to destroy Po to prove that he, Tai Lung, is the true Dragon Warrior.

What does he THINK he needs to attain this?

The “secret” power of the dragon scroll (MacGuffin).

What is the theme that ties all this together?

“There is no secret, the power is within us.”

And thus the MacGuffin is rendered meaningless as is the usual case with MacGuffins.

I could write pages and pages describing the elegant simplicity of this story, but then I would be violating K.I.S.S. myself. And that would be stupid! So instead, I suggest you read the Kung Fu Panda script (available at JoBlo.com) and focus on the above questions. You will discover the beauty of simplicity, and enjoy a wonderful story.

Full Disclosure: There’s nothing in my head! But that’s a good thing, because writers are the only ones in Hollywood who create something from nothing. And I, for one, have a vast amount of nothing to share with you. Thus, from the void between my ears springs this blog on writing for animation and live action. A blog not just for writers but for producers, directors, animators, storyboard artists, VFX specialists and even studio execs (but not agents), because the single most important creative element of any production is its story, and for a production to be successful everyone must make sure its story is as good as it can be. And to make my blog as good as it can be I welcome your input. Email me at GetJeffrey[at]JeffreyScott.tv.

Jeffrey Scott has written over 700 animated and live-action TV and film scripts for Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, Universal, Paramount, Columbia, PBS, Sesame Workshop, Marvel, Hanna-Barbera and others. His writing has been honored with three Emmys and the Humanitas Prize. He is author of the acclaimed book, How to Write for Animation. To learn more about his craft and credits visit his website at www.JeffreyScott.tv.